Blackburn car smash victims named

Police said a Volkswagen Golf was being driven into the town along Preston Old Road, Feniscowles, when it collided with a Ford Focus travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Golf, 35-year-old Jamie Dickson from Bamber Bridge, died of his injuries at the scene.

His front seat passenger, dad-of-two Kevin Evans, 34, from Blackburn, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but died a short time later.

The driver of the Focus, a 59-year-old man from Poulton-le-Fylde, was yesterday in a serious condition at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

It is believed he had just dropped his partner off at the nearby Fieldens Arms pub, and was travelling home towards the motorway when the incident happened near to the junction of Pleasington Lane, at 11.10pm on Wednesday.

The road, which is known to be an accident blackspot, was yesterday scattered with sand to cover patches of oil and other fluids that had leaked from the cars.

Christine Cooke, who lives opposite the crash site, had just gone to bed at 11.10pm when she heard a loud bang.

She said: “We have had a lot of accidents on this road, and as soon as I heard the bang, I knew what had happened.

“I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events.

“When I got to the top of the drive I could see debris all over the road. The Focus had spun round and was facing the wrong way, and the Golf was in the wall on the wrong side of the road.

“Both cars’ front ends were well and truly smashed up and I could see that the two lads in the Golf were unconscious. I didn’t try to open the door to them, it was obvious that they needed more help than I could give.

“Then a group of lads who were in a passing car and who had stopped gave me a phone and I spent a long time talking to the police, telling them what was happening.”

She added: “The man who had been driving the Focus either got himself out or had been helped out, and was sitting in the back of a BMW that had stopped.

“After I’d finished on the phone I went to sit with him and chatted to him, asking questions about his injuries like any first aider would do.

“He had hurt his leg, but seemed ok other than that. He was looking at his car and saying what a mess it was, but I was telling him to forget about the car.”

It is believed that Mr Dickson lived on his own in the Clayton Brook area but was originally from Chorley, and Mr Evans lived in Blackburn with his two young daughters.

It is thought that the two men met and became friends as regulars at the Ley Inn pub in Clayton-le-Woods and the Halfway House pub in Whittle-le-Woods.

Sergeant Jon Allwright from the Road Policing Unit said: “This is a tragic accident that has and will affect three families and we have specially trained officers supporting them.

“A full investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have witnessed the collision or perhaps saw the vehicles in the run up to the collision to come forward and contact the police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Road Policing Unit at Samlesbury on 101.

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Road is accident blackspot

SAFETY measures have been put in place on the stretch of Preston Old Road where the accident happened, after gaining a reputation as an accident blackspot.

After campaigning by residents who have attended dozen of accidents, crash barriers have been erected, red road markings and ‘slow’ signs installed, and the speed limit has been cut to 30mph.

But calls for more preventative measures have been made in light of the latest tragedy.

Councillor Michael Lee, leader of the opposition on Blackburn with Darwen Council, who lives in nearby Tintagel Close, said: “There have been a few accidents on that bend and it is quite sharp, but if people stick to the 30mph limit, it should be fine.

However, I have to say, if you’re travelling from the Preston end, going down the hill, it’s quite easy to build up speed and to be doing 40 or 50mph without really realising. Work has been done to help the situation though, including making it a 30mph zone, putting a crash barrier on the bend and putting ‘slow’ markings on the road.

“Perhaps they should also look at putting in an interactive speed sign, or something to tell people how many accidents and fatalities there have been there.”

Mrs Cooke, who attended the crash scene on Wednesday, said there has been about 13 other serious crashes on the road since she moved there 26 years ago. She said: “It was getting to the point where we would rebuild the garden wall from one crash, and it would get immediately knocked down again.

“We’ve campaigned and campaigned for a speed camera to be put in where it goes from 40mph to 30mph, but they won’t do it and we’re desperate.

“It took an awful lot of fighting for the council to put a crash barrier in.”

A woman who lives in Preston Old Road, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s a very bad road and always has been. I’ve been out to quite a few accidents over the years, including motorcyclists who have been badly hurt.

“The road is very busy, people don’t abide by the 30mph speed limit, the camber of the road is a problem, and the trees overhang, so that slippery leaves fall on the road.

“There’s a church hall on that stretch too, where Brownies attend, and it’s a nightmare trying to cross.”

Comments

The BBC website named them yesterday........
RIP to the two men.ladysal

The BBC website named them yesterday........

RIP to the two men.

Score: 1

The Burnley Boys
1:41pm Fri 12 Oct 12

RIP Kevin......u were a great guy and brilliant father. There'll always be a special place in my heart for u and I'm going to miss u loads xxxxx

RIP Kevin......u were a great guy and brilliant father. There'll always be a special place in my heart for u and I'm going to miss u loads xxxxxThe Burnley Boys

RIP Kevin......u were a great guy and brilliant father. There'll always be a special place in my heart for u and I'm going to miss u loads xxxxx

Score: 3

The Burnley Boys
1:53pm Fri 12 Oct 12

RIP Jamie.......my thoughts and prayers are with ur family. Such a sad loss of lives xx

RIP Jamie.......my thoughts and prayers are with ur family. Such a sad loss of lives xxThe Burnley Boys

RIP Jamie.......my thoughts and prayers are with ur family. Such a sad loss of lives xx

Score: 2

cathedral citi
3:04pm Fri 12 Oct 12

RIP guys! I can't even begun to imagine the heartache, and anguish that your loved ones are feeling at this moment in time. What a tragic waste of lives.

I hope the bereaved find solace and comfort, whether it be freon family, friends and the religious fraternity.

My thoughts are also with the injured gentleman. I hope you make a speedy recovery.

Bless you all.

RIP guys! I can't even begun to imagine the heartache, and anguish that your loved ones are feeling at this moment in time. What a tragic waste of lives.
I hope the bereaved find solace and comfort, whether it be freon family, friends and the religious fraternity.
My thoughts are also with the injured gentleman. I hope you make a speedy recovery.
Bless you all.cathedral citi

RIP guys! I can't even begun to imagine the heartache, and anguish that your loved ones are feeling at this moment in time. What a tragic waste of lives.

I hope the bereaved find solace and comfort, whether it be freon family, friends and the religious fraternity.

My thoughts are also with the injured gentleman. I hope you make a speedy recovery.

Bless you all.

Score: 1

[deleted]
7:06pm Fri 12 Oct 12

[deleted]

Very sad but it's not the roads fault , if every driver stayed at 30mph accidents wouldn't,t happen , but a tragic waste of life nevertheless.peely

Very sad but it's not the roads fault , if every driver stayed at 30mph accidents wouldn't,t happen , but a tragic waste of life nevertheless.

Score: 1

scotty1979
7:26pm Fri 12 Oct 12

R.I.P kev pal you will be missed by many from the halfords lads

R.I.P kev pal you will be missed by many from the halfords ladsscotty1979

R.I.P kev pal you will be missed by many from the halfords lads

Score: 0

[deleted]
7:44pm Fri 12 Oct 12

[deleted]

I travel on that road regularly, drivers do not stick to the 30 mile an hour, when you do drivers tail gate!!!jean_regan

I travel on that road regularly, drivers do not stick to the 30 mile an hour, when you do drivers tail gate!!!

Score: 1

mys
7:50pm Fri 12 Oct 12

What a shame poor guys all of them, RIP to both who lost there lives and pray for the other guy to make a full recovery, god bless x

What a shame poor guys all of them, RIP to both who lost there lives and pray for the other guy to make a full recovery, god bless xmys

What a shame poor guys all of them, RIP to both who lost there lives and pray for the other guy to make a full recovery, god bless x

Score: 1

[deleted]
8:06pm Fri 12 Oct 12

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]jean_regan[/bold] wrote:
I travel on that road regularly, drivers do not stick to the 30 mile an hour, when you do drivers tail gate!!![/p][/quote]I only use that road once or twice a week and have the foresight to not become too overly familiar with it. The road condition is poor, trees shedding leaves compounds this, it takes days for it dry completely after the slightest of showers and finally, there are those who think that they know how to drive better than me.
When you have the sense to reduce your speed without braking, you get the following car closing right up to you and, as happened just this evening, giving me the benefit of all the lights on the front of his vehicle.
There is no point in taking the number of this vehicle and reporting to the Police for any action, as they much prefer to pontificate after the fact rather than preventing accidents in the first place.
Sad to say but this is the beginning of that roads annual season of death and carnage. Not a case of if but who is next.woolywords

jean_regan wrote…

I travel on that road regularly, drivers do not stick to the 30 mile an hour, when you do drivers tail gate!!!

I only use that road once or twice a week and have the foresight to not become too overly familiar with it. The road condition is poor, trees shedding leaves compounds this, it takes days for it dry completely after the slightest of showers and finally, there are those who think that they know how to drive better than me.

When you have the sense to reduce your speed without braking, you get the following car closing right up to you and, as happened just this evening, giving me the benefit of all the lights on the front of his vehicle.

There is no point in taking the number of this vehicle and reporting to the Police for any action, as they much prefer to pontificate after the fact rather than preventing accidents in the first place.

Sad to say but this is the beginning of that roads annual season of death and carnage. Not a case of if but who is next.

Score: 3

TrueBlue (Formerly GetRealUIdiot)
8:21pm Fri 12 Oct 12

God Bless lads, and thoughts go to your families. May the other guy make a speedy recovery.

God Bless lads, and thoughts go to your families. May the other guy make a speedy recovery.TrueBlue (Formerly GetRealUIdiot)

God Bless lads, and thoughts go to your families. May the other guy make a speedy recovery.

Score: 1

[deleted]
10:36pm Fri 12 Oct 12

[deleted]

I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events.
is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are pricelessjellybiff

I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events.
is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless

Score: -9

[deleted]
1:02am Sat 13 Oct 12

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]jellybiff[/bold] wrote:
I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events. is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless[/p][/quote]I know one of those involved in this and your comment is inappropriate to say the least. There is nothing to laugh at two people losing their lives....especially at such a young age.smellthecoffee

jellybiff wrote…

I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events. is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless

I know one of those involved in this and your comment is inappropriate to say the least. There is nothing to laugh at two people losing their lives....especially at such a young age.

Score: 7

Todaysrainbow
9:45am Sat 13 Oct 12

My heart goes out to these two lads famalies, they were far too young to go, be strong. May they rest in peace.

My heart goes out to these two lads famalies, they were far too young to go, be strong. May they rest in peace.Todaysrainbow

My heart goes out to these two lads famalies, they were far too young to go, be strong. May they rest in peace.

Score: 1

Ste_Topp
12:47pm Sat 13 Oct 12

R.I.P guys, I didn't know Kevin well but Jamie I've known for a few years now. He was a really great guy and always had a good laugh with him. I hope the poor guy in the Focus pulls through. Horrible accident this and has left me shocked since it happened.

We are holding our VW/German car meet this Thursday night at The Boatyard in there name as Jamie was a regular and sometimes Kevin, we have cards there to sign and a bucket going around.

R.I.P guys, I didn't know Kevin well but Jamie I've known for a few years now. He was a really great guy and always had a good laugh with him. I hope the poor guy in the Focus pulls through. Horrible accident this and has left me shocked since it happened.
We are holding our VW/German car meet this Thursday night at The Boatyard in there name as Jamie was a regular and sometimes Kevin, we have cards there to sign and a bucket going around.Ste_Topp

R.I.P guys, I didn't know Kevin well but Jamie I've known for a few years now. He was a really great guy and always had a good laugh with him. I hope the poor guy in the Focus pulls through. Horrible accident this and has left me shocked since it happened.

We are holding our VW/German car meet this Thursday night at The Boatyard in there name as Jamie was a regular and sometimes Kevin, we have cards there to sign and a bucket going around.

Score: -1

[deleted]
1:41pm Sat 13 Oct 12

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]jellybiff[/bold] wrote:
I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events.
is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless[/p][/quote]What on earth's going on in your head if your only thought is to post something like this? Mrs Cooke's first thought was to get outside as quickly as possible to help people, obviously a concept you wouldn't even understand.Lankygirl

jellybiff wrote…

I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events.
is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless

What on earth's going on in your head if your only thought is to post something like this? Mrs Cooke's first thought was to get outside as quickly as possible to help people, obviously a concept you wouldn't even understand.

Score: 3

[deleted]
1:53pm Sat 13 Oct 12

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]Lankygirl[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jellybiff[/bold] wrote: I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events. is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless[/p][/quote]What on earth's going on in your head if your only thought is to post something like this? Mrs Cooke's first thought was to get outside as quickly as possible to help people, obviously a concept you wouldn't even understand.[/p][/quote]he or she is clearly emotionally retarded....let's hope something like this doesn't happen to them as they would then understand what the families are going through right now.smellthecoffee

Lankygirl wrote…

jellybiff wrote…

I quickly pulled a jumper and some tracksuit bottoms on over my pjyamas and went out, because I’m a first aider and I’ve been to a lot of bad crashes at motorsport events. is this real hahahahahahahaha you jibbs are priceless

What on earth's going on in your head if your only thought is to post something like this? Mrs Cooke's first thought was to get outside as quickly as possible to help people, obviously a concept you wouldn't even understand.

he or she is clearly emotionally retarded....let's hope something like this doesn't happen to them as they would then understand what the families are going through right now.

Score: 1

zubs79
1:58pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Agreed with cooments, very young age, condolonces to all family, loved ones, relatives and friends.
About time council listened to residents and spend the money where best needed for the safety of the communkty.

Agreed with cooments, very young age, condolonces to all family, loved ones, relatives and friends.
About time council listened to residents and spend the money where best needed for the safety of the communkty.zubs79

Agreed with cooments, very young age, condolonces to all family, loved ones, relatives and friends.
About time council listened to residents and spend the money where best needed for the safety of the communkty.

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